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Haute pair Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are the personification of dressing to complement each other

Just take a look at the paparazzi shots of A-listers like the fashionably challenged Abhishek Bachchan and the simpering sweet Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Then there is the sleek, smooth power couple of Shah Rukh Khan and his lovely lissome wife Gouri. And at the very peak is Branjelina where Angelina Jolie turned up on the red carpet in black dress and on cue was partner Brad Pitt in a crisp white tux.

In the city, you have Netra and K. K. Raghava who say: “Outfits should complement each other, rather than being similar. This way of dressing keeps things interesting. Dressing alike can send the message to onlookers that two people are a couple. It can show like-mindedness in taste”.

According to fashion guru Prasad Bidapa, “Couples must dress in the same category, but must not look too alike because then both the ensembles will look like a uniform. For example if you are planning to go ethnic, you could work within the same genre but not the same colour. And if you want to wear the same colour, the men can wear shades from his partner’s outfit.”

“Dressing in the same category makes sense,” Prasad elaborates. “If the lady is wearing a cotton sari, men opt for a dhoti or pyjama and a cotton kurta, which makes the couple look in synch but with their individual personalities clearly demarcated.” “The way to celebrate you are together is through fabric, colour combination and texture,” say Pravin and Shobha Shriyannavar.

As Pravin is a Senior Publication Consultant, Brand Com, and Shoba is a software engineer at Fidelity Services, the duo help each other picking the clothes and accessories that suit their individual personality as well as their partner’s. “As a couple we like dressing according to a theme but we avoid wearing the same colour. The best occasion to dress identically is on a holiday or on a picnic. Even if we wear the same colour, I prefer wearing it with a difference, like most of my T-shirts have stripes, where as Shobha my wife prefers a simple small logo or a plain tee. “Such small changes can break the uniformity. If we are dressed traditionally, then we dress with a lot of mix and match. Other than clothing, we also mix and match accessories like jewellery, watches, belts which will help us dress more like a couple.

Complementing the couple’s view, Prasad says, “Other than the theme and the colour, texture can play a vital role while dressing as it gives the same feel. Mix and match will add drama to the ensemble. The best way to complement your partners’ outfit is through colour combination or through fabric. Sometimes the couple can wear the same fabric in different styles.”

With so many designers scattered all over the city, and with branded stores increasing in number, couples can choose clothes from the same store that feature clothing for both sexes.

Prasad is all for chivalry when he advises men to tone it down while allowing the women to flaunt their ensembles. “Men must hold back and must not overdress and overwhelm the women.” “Maintaining one’s individuality but also showcasing themselves as a part of a pair by choosing outfits that complement rather than match” is Mr. and Mrs. Krishnaswamy’s fashion mantra. “We don’t plan our outfits together for any event. We respect each other’s dressing. If we happen to wear the same colour, it is sheer co-incidence. We want outsiders to look at us as two separate entities. It is only on formal occasions that we wear black together; else we change our attire at the end moment so that we look different”.

With the rapid change in lifestyle, fashion and love continue to have no rules that must be followed. Thus wear what makes both of you comfortable and makes the two of you look good. An amalgamation of two personalities can be brought closer by dressing up intelligently. Cheers to the rise of mirror images!

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